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Quiet assassin woos Dyke

GREG DYKE has been approached by Anthony Bolton,the leading fund manager, raising the possibility that the former director-general of the BBC could be poised for a role at ITV.

Dyke’s unexpected appearance on the job market has been seized on by Bolton, the Fidelity fund manager who last October led the shareholder revolt that resulted in the ousting of Michael Green, the chairman-elect of ITV.

Bolton, known as the City’s “quiet assassin”, is understood to have made at least one telephone call to Dyke since his resignation two weeks ago. Colleagues said he had also been praising Dyke in meetings.Fidelity declined to comment.

It is believed that Dyke could be installed as chief executive if the incumbent, Charles Allen, were ousted by the new independent chairman — an appointment still to be confirmed.

The vacant position of chairman would be unlikely to tempt Dyke because it is part-time and less hands-on